Parliamentary calls to expel the American ambassador from Iraq

Information / private… On Tuesday, the representative of the Al-Sadiqoun parliamentary bloc, Rafiq Al-Salhi, called for the expulsion of US Ambassador Elena Romanowski from Iraq, considering her statements as blatant interference in the country’s affairs.

Al-Salhi said in an interview with the Maalouma Agency, “The statements of the Washington ambassador are blatant and unacceptable, which calls for an urgent national stance to expel her from Iraqi territory.”

He added, “Elena Romanowski greatly underestimated the Iraqi people and government,” warning of “the seriousness of the American ambassador’s movements and their repercussions for the country’s sovereignty.”

He pointed out that “the American persistence constitutes blatant interference in Iraqi sovereign affairs.”

In an interview earlier today, a member of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, Nisan Al-Zayer, denounced the statements of the US Ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romanowski, regarding the amendment to the anti-prostitution and homosexuality law approved by the House of Representatives.

Almaalomah.me

Parliamentary Finance: The Council of Ministers will vote today on the 2024 budget schedules

Shafaq News / The Parliamentary Finance Committee announced on Tuesday that the Council of Ministers will vote in today’s session on the budget schedules for the year 2024.

The head of the committee, Atwan Al-Atwani, said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency: “We look forward to resolving this file as quickly as possible and sending the schedules to the House of Representatives to vote on in order to begin the process of reconstruction, construction and development within the framework of the government program.”

Al-Atwani stressed “the commitment to implement the provisions and paragraphs of the Federal General Budget Law for the years (2023-2025), and to include its financial allocations in this year’s schedules, especially with regard to appointments and contracts that were not implemented during 2023, and other rights that affect the lives of citizens.”

He stressed “supporting and empowering the governorates to implement their service plans and development programs and completing the requirements for including strategic projects in a way that achieves a qualitative leap in the level of providing services to citizens.”

Meanwhile; Acting Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, agreed today, Tuesday, with the Prime Minister, Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, on the necessity of completing the schedules of the budget law for the year 2024, and expediting their sending to the House of Representatives for the purpose of discussing and voting on them, due to their connection to the lives of citizens and their focus on investment spending for new projects.

According to a statement issued by Al-Mandalawi’s office and received by Shafaq News Agency; The two sides stressed the importance of integrating the work of the legislative and executive authorities and the impact of this on the speedy passage of important laws and supporting efforts to implement the government program and anti-corruption steps.

Shafaq.com

Association of Private Banks: Iraq is witnessing great development in the transition to electronic government

The Association of Private Banks confirmed today, Friday, that Iraq is witnessing great development in the transition to electronic government

A statement by the association, received by Al-Rabaa, stated that “the head of the Iraqi Private Banks Association, Wadih Al-Handal, participated in the Arab Economic Security Forum, which was organized by the Union of Arab Banks in Beirut.”

Al-Handal stressed, “The forum is being held in complex circumstances and geopolitical changes taking place in the region, and the Arab banking sector has begun to be affected, starting with the State of Iraq,” adding that Iraq is still facing major challenges, at various economic levels, including depriving the Iraqi private banking sector of using… The dollar, which has exceeded half the number of banks operating inside the country, is a very dangerous indicator, despite the efforts of Iraqi governmental and private institutions to comply with local and international anti-money laundering and terrorist financing laws, but for the first time we are witnessing a clear targeting of the sector that has begun to affect banking services inside the country, and undermine confidence. citizens, and hinders the expansion of financial inclusion.”

He added, “These challenges facing the banking sector reaffirm the prominent role played by the Union of Arab Banks, international organizations, and Arab banks in coordinating positions and confronting dangers together,” noting that “our meeting represents an opportunity for cooperation and agreement on an action roadmap for the future.” “The targeting of the Iraqi banking sector will not stop within its borders, and may expand at any moment to other countries in light of the regional turmoil.”…

Faceiraq.org

A banking official indicates a “danger” to Iraq by depriving more than half of its banks of dollars

Shafaq News / The head of the Iraqi Private Banks Association, Wadih Al-Handal, on Friday considered the deprivation of more than half of the country’s banks from dealing in US dollars a “dangerous indicator” of the economy.

This came in a speech he delivered during his participation in the Arab Economic Security Forum, organized by the Union of Arab Banks in Beirut.

Al-Handal said in his speech that the forum is being held in complex circumstances and geopolitical changes taking place in the region, and the Arab banking sector has begun to be affected, starting with the State of Iraq.

He added that Iraq is still facing major challenges, at various economic levels, including depriving the Iraqi private banking sector of using the dollar, which has exceeded half the number of banks operating inside the country, which is a very dangerous indicator, despite the efforts of Iraqi governmental and private institutions to comply with laws against money laundering and terrorist financing. Local and international, adding: But for the first time we are witnessing a clear targeting of the sector, which has begun to affect banking services within the country, undermine citizen confidence, and hinder the expansion of financial inclusion.

Al-Handal also pointed out that “the Association of Private Banks is working with the Iraqi government, the Central Bank, and some local and international institutions, to save the banking sector, and return banks deprived of dealing in dollars to their activities, but this is not enough, but rather requires continuing cooperation with the Arab and foreign banking sector, because the stage “The integration of the Iraqi banking sector with its Arab counterpart must begin quickly.”

He added: We are making great strides in this direction, especially since Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani held dialogues in Washington with the US President and other government officials, who announced in a joint statement the possibility of a group of Iraqi banks returning to dealing in dollars and supporting the private banking sector.

Shafaq.com

Al-Sudani will visit Saudi Arabia at the end of this month

The Prime Minister, Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the end of this month.

Al-Sudani’s visit comes in response to an invitation from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, which he received on April 1, to participate in the special meeting of the World Economic Forum, which the Kingdom is hosting at the end of this month.

It is noteworthy that the special meeting of the World Economic Forum will be held in the city of Riyadh for the period from April 28-29, and will address a number of international topics and issues, and discuss international cooperation in the fields of economics and sustainable development.

It is noteworthy that the Sudanese’s expected visit to Saudi Arabia comes days after his visit to the United States, which lasted about a week, followed by the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Iraq last Monday.

Burathanews.com

Economist: Travelers’ dollars are leaking into the parallel market…and this is what the Central Bank should do

{Al-Furat News} The economic expert, Safwan Qusay said: “The current policy of the Central Bank of Iraq goes towards auditing the cash dollar, which was marred by many failures in the first periods, especially its leakage through travelers to the irregular market, and this issue needs a new and clear mechanism.”

He added, “It is assumed that travelers are dealt with through tourism and airline companies, and the travel ticket is not allowed to be canceled unless the traveler returns the amount he purchased from the exchange outlets or banks.”

Qusay stressed, “This measure will restore confidence in the cash dollar and the possibility of facilitating the mission of real tourists and filling the gaps that accompanied the process of establishing the electronic platform for the cash sale of foreign currencies.”

He stated that “the Central Bank will not hesitate to provide the dollar to those entitled to it, whether at the level of Hajj or other windows,” noting that “the Central Bank’s emphasis on procedures for granting citizens the cash dollar ensures that it reaches those who need it.”

Qusay added, “The Central Bank’s official sales during the previous 10 days rose to $270 million per day, which is an indication of the activation of the electronic platform,” adding, “The more we reduce imports and analyze the irregular demand for the dollar, the more stable the dollar’s ​​exchange rate will be.”

Meanwhile, travelers expressed their surprise at the Central Bank’s decisions to prevent government banks from selling dollars to travelers.

Travelers said, via {Al-Furat News}: “We are surprised by the Central Bank’s decisions to prevent government banks from selling the dollar to travelers and monopolizing it only with financial transfer and exchange companies.”

Travelers called on Parliament and members of the Parliamentary Finance Committee to “intervene and solve the problem and allow government banks to carry out the process of selling the dollar, especially in conjunction with the delegation of pilgrims to the Holy House of God, and they need to buy the dollar at the official price.”

Alforatnews.iq

An American official confirms that the “Ain al-Assad” base was attacked by a guided aircraft

Shafaq News / An American official confirmed, on Monday, that the “Ain al-Assad” base in Anbar Governorate, western Iraq, which includes American forces, was attacked by a drone.

The official said, according to Reuters, “The Ain al-Asad base, which includes American forces in Iraq, was attacked by a remotely piloted aircraft, without causing any casualties or damage.”

This is the third attack of its kind targeting American forces within 24 hours, after the two attacks that targeted the “Omar Field and Kharab al-Jir” bases in Syria yesterday, Sunday.

These attacks are the first of their kind since early February, when factions allied with Iran in Iraq stopped their attacks on American forces.

A security source told Shafaq News Agency earlier on Sunday evening that five missiles were launched from the village of Hamad Agha in the Zumar district, northwest of Mosul, towards the American base at Kharab al-Jir base within Syrian territory.

He added that American aircraft flew intensively between the Iraqi-Syrian border within the districts of Zammar and Rabia, northwest of Mosul, against the backdrop of the missile attack, before targeting the vehicle from which the missiles were launched.

Shafaq.com

Parliamentarian: Iraq has become an economic destination and we expect another visit

Information / Private… The representative of the Al-Fatah Alliance, Mahmoud Al-Hayani, stated on Monday that Iraq has become an economic destination for the world and we will witness many visits from major countries in the future, pointing out that this file must be used as a pressure card in front of Erdogan to impose the Iraqi will.

Al-Hayani said in a statement to the Al-Ma’louma Agency, “The government must take advantage of the economic file and countries’ search for their interests inside Iraq,” noting that “Turkey will try to take credit in the reconstruction campaign launched by Al-Sudani by introducing its companies into Iraq, in addition to the file.” “The most important line of development currently in the region.”

He continued, “The Iraqi government will succeed diplomatically before the Turkish president because it holds the most important playing cards, to limit the failure to open water to Iraq, as well as the ongoing Turkish bombing of the region,” noting that, “Iraq imports needs and goods from Turkey worth billions of dollars annually.”

It is noteworthy that Erdogan has not visited Iraq for 13 years, and the visit witnesses the signing of two strategic agreements and more than 20 memorandums of understanding, in addition to the signing of the water agreement, and the security files related to the violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

Almaalomah.me

Legal: Parliament does not have the right to end its legislative term until after approving the budget schedules

Information / Baghdad… Legal expert Ali Al-Tamimi confirmed, on Monday, that dealing with voting on amendments to the budget schedules within Parliament is the same as in the law because it is an integral part of the budget law. Therefore, Parliament cannot enjoy its legislative recess until after voting on the amendments to the schedules in the event that they reach the Council.

Al-Tamimi told Al-Maalouma, “The current legislative term is almost over and only a few days remain. However, if the amendments to the budget schedules for the current year arrive one day before the end of the legislative term, the House of Representatives does not have the right to end its legislative term, except after approving the schedules.” Budget.

He added, “Approving amendments to the budget schedules is dealt with constitutionally, as in the case of approving the budget law, because the schedules are an integral part of the entire law.”

A member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Representative Jamal Kujar, confirmed to “Al-Ma’louma” in a previous statement that the government will send amendments to the budget schedules to Parliament at the end of its current legislative term.

Almaalomah.me

Parliamentarian: Al-Issawi will win and the position will be decided in the coming days

Information / Private… Independent MP Abdul Hadi Al-Abbasi said on Monday that the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives will be decided in the coming weeks and there is very tangible progress in this file.

Al-Abbasi said in a statement to the “Al-Ma’louma” agency, “The candidate of the Azm and Al-Hasam coalition, Salem Al-Issawi, is the one who will be appointed to the position, especially after Al-Karim withdrew from the nomination and resigned from the Taqadum Party,” indicating that he is one of the supporters of Dr. Salem Al-Issawi.

He continued, “The House of Representatives is a vital institution and is the one who determines the country’s policies, not to mention the oversight cycle. In the absence of the Speaker of the House, there will be a stagnation in the work of the House,” noting that “the process of assuming the position will take place democratically without disputes.”

Al-Abbasi concluded by saying: “The support of the political parties is what decides to whom the position will go, and the support now is for Salem Al-Issawi, which means that Al-Issawi will pass, especially since he also enjoys the acceptance of the Shiites.”

Almaalomah.me